"The Big Stage" at LP Field during the 2008 CMA Music Festival
May 29 to June 3, 2008. We normally look for 1/2 price PPA Campgrounds COE Campgrounds or National Park Campgrounds. But in Nashville, over the Memorial Day weekend Two Rivers Campground is our choice.
Marine F-18 fighter jets opened the show at LP Field each night
Each night at LP Field we know the show is about to begin when these Marine F-18 fighter jets treat the fans to a low-level fly over. The noise these things make will even drown out a full blast Country Music show.
What a way to kick off each nightly show at LP Field and the 2008 CMA Music Festival.
Craig Morgan performing his hit song "Redneck Yacht Club" on the big stage at LP Field
Craig Morgan is a new Country Music artist with several hits on the charts at this time. One is "Son of a 3rd generation Farmer". The other one is "Redneck yacht club".
We were visiting the Bluebird Cafe a week after this concert listening to songwriters present their new songs. One of the songwriters performing there was Thom Shepherd who wrote Craig Morgan's current hit song "Redneck Yacht Club".
I suspect that Craig Morgan will soon be releasing several more songs along the lines of "Redneck Yacht Club". I say this because Thom Shepherd has written a whole tool box full of fun songs waiting for some established "star" to record them.
Chuck Wicks
This is Chuck Wicks performing his current hit song "Stealing Cinderella" on the big stage at LP Field for the 2008 CMA Music Festival.
James Otto performing at the 2008 CMA Music Festival
This is James Otto who has the current hit "I just got started loving you" where this country crooner is begging his girl friend to call in sick and stay home with him.
The talent appearing on the big stage at LP Field for the 2008 CMA Music Festival is totally incredible.
Bucky Covington on the big stage at LP Field
This is Bucky Covington a new Country Music artist that got his start on the American Idol show. I can't tell you what his current hit is.
Randy Travis performing at the 2008 CMA Music Festival
Randy Travis is a Country Music super star with numerous hit songs to his credit. He sang his hits like: "Three wooden crosses beside the road"
A few days after this CMA event we were sitting in the Bluebird Cafe listening to Don Schlitz perform. Don Schlitz wrote several of Randy Travis's hit songs like: "I am going to love you forever & forever amen" "On the Other Hand"
Jamey Johnson who played his hit song IN COLOR on the big stage at LP field for the 2008 CMA Music Festival
This is Jamey Johnson who played a few songs on the big stage at LP Field. I can't recall the songs he performed but he wrote George Strait's current hit song "Just give it away".
Rodney Adkins on the big stage at LP Field for 2008 CMA Music Festival
This is Rodney Adkins performing on the big stage at LP Field. I don't know the names of his hit songs but one has lyrics that talk about his 4-year old son hearing him say a 4-letter word with a hook line where the boy says he wants to be just like you. It is a hard hitting song for every parent. He has another hit song that might have a title like "These are my people". Another hit for him has a father talking with his daughter's date prior to them leaving for the night with a hook line going something like this "I'll be up all night cleaning this gun."
I do remember that he has been touring with Brooks & Dunn.
Trace Atkins performing for the 2008 CMA Music Festival
Trace Atkins is an established Country Music star with many hit songs. Some of his hits are: "Ladies love country boys" "You are going to miss this" "I got my game on" Trace was also on TV with Donald Trump where they were raising money for charity. Trace did not win but he did make the show interesting. Trace rocked LP Field tonight.
Alan Jackson performing at LP Field 2008 CMA Music Festival
Ok, this is Alan Jackson. What more can I say.
He sang a BUNCH of his hits and he has a BUNCH of hits. I do not know how he chooses which to sing.
Joyce was reading Denise's (Alan's wife) book It's All About Him: Finding the Love of My Life. When Joyce got to the part where she Denise was telling about how his CD of gospel songs came to be she stopped and read it aloud to me. What a touching story. In a nutshell, Alan's Mother had nagged him for years to make her a CD of gospel songs and Alan kept telling her he would -- but would always put it off. Then Denise's Dad passed away. Denise's Mom asked if Alan would sing one of the old hymns --- she told which one but I do not remember (buy the book, vbg)-ahh, you are in luck Joyce just told me it was "Turn your eyes upon Jesus". Alan put it on a CD which was played at the funeral. Alan realized how touched Denise's mother was when that song was played at the funeral. When they got back home Alan found an old church hymnbook and Denise picked out about 30-favorites. Alan balked at 30 but finally relented on around 15 songs. Alan decided to record those 15-songs with minimal accompaniment and no fancy arrangements. He wanted them to sound like the old hymns he remembered from church in his childhood.
Denise and their girls sang "Tis So Sweet to trust in Jesus"
so in some ways it was a family project. Alan found a picture of a
country church like the one from his Mother's childhood that he used
for a cover. The CD was completed just before Christmas. Then on Christmas morning he gave that CD to his Mother who was with them here in Nashville. You have to read her reaction in the book. It is just too moving for me to even try to put into words. They made additional copies of the CD and gave them to extended family and friends. Then to their surprise record lable executives decided that their little family CD needed to be released commercially. It was an odd decision. The album wasn't slick or professional. The producer wasn't planning to promote it, and they knew that country radio stations wouldn't play it. In other words, releasing it made no commercial sense. But they did it anyway.
To everyone's surprise, the Precious Memories CD shot up the charts and stayed there. It spent 12-weeks at the top of the country, Christian and Gospel sales charts. It was the first gospel album to ever debut at #1 on the country music charts. It was #4 on Billboard's all-genre 200 sales chart, with Billboard calling it "a landmark work" and "a masterpiece". It was the top-selling album for 2006 on the Christmas music charts. And finally it was one of five-nominees for the 2006 "Album of the Year" at the Country Music Awards. The album went platinum. Alan has given their mother's generous checks to donate to the charities of their choice. Why did the album Precious Memories do wo well and receive so many honors? Industry executives don't have the answer, but Alan's Mom may have the answer "...when God has special plans for something, it will accomplish exactly what He intends -- despite the odds against it." If you find this story touching the the story as told by Denise in her book is MUCH better. Besides she tells a lot more and it is a good read.
Kenny Rogers
Kenny Rogers was a super star years ago. I suspect he is in his late 70's but he came and gave it his all. Too bad he had to follow Allen Jackson which no one should have to do. Kenny actually performed between 11pm and midnight on Saturday night.
Kenny Rogers
Kenny is probably best know for "Gambler" but he had many more hits including "Islands in the stream" which he sang with Dolly Parton, "Ruby don't take your love to town", "Coward of the County". Another hit he had was the ballad "I am the greatest" about a boy who was a ball player --- the ending was something like "even I didn't know I could pitch like that.
Before becoming a Country Music icon Kenny was the lead singer for a pop group called the First Edition, he sang his first song that made it to number one. I remember that pop song but it was a real oldie.
Sarah Evans performing on the big stage at LP Field
This is Country Music star Sarah Evans who has also been a contestant on Dancing With the Stars.
Sarah is currently engaged to former University of Alabama Quarterback Jay Barker who is currently a sports commentator after spending time in the NFL.
Sarah sings songs like "Suds in the bucket" and a host of others that escape me at the moment.
Billy Ray Cyrus on the big stage at 2008 CMA Music Festival
Billy Ray Cyrus had one hit song that I can remember and that was "Ache Breaky Heart". I think he was more famous for his "mullet" hair cut. Now his fame revolves around being the father of "Hanna Montana".
Dwight Yockum at LP Field 2008 CMA Music Festival
Dwight Yockum is a long standing Country Music artist that has transitioned to acting in movies. One song that I remember from his days as a Country Music crooner was "Ain't that lonely yet."
Dwight returned to the CMA Music Festival for the 1st time in 20-years. It was good to see him perform.
The big screen at LP Field
They flashed this on the big screen at LP Field near the end of the show on Sunday Night. I do not know how this was tabulated, heck, I didn't even know there was a vote or a contest. These aren't the ones that I would have picked, but who am I!
No matter, we enjoyed them all and plan to return. The CMA Country Music Fest was something we really enjoyed.
There are other things to see and do in Nashville. One day we went for an afternoon cruise on the General Jackson Showboat that boards jusd down the road from where we are staying at Two Rivers Campground. Check these links to read about our adventure on the General Jackson Showboat: Peking Acrobats, Delta Queen, General Jackson, Joyce touring the wheelhouse on the General Jackson.
Until next time remember how good life is. Click here for more Nashville Attractions Click here for Nashville Honky Tonks Click here for Nashville Musicians Click here for more of our Tennessee Travel Adventures
More Tennessee AdventuresSome of our Miscellaneous Subjects ** More 2008 Travel Adventures
Mike & Joyce Hendrix
Mike & Joyce Hendrix who we are We hope you liked this page. If you do you might be interested in some of our other Travel Adventures: Mike & Joyce Hendrix's home page Travel Adventures by Year ** Travel Adventures by State ** Plants ** Marine-Boats ** Geology ** Exciting Drives ** Cute Signs ** RV Subjects ** Miscellaneous Subjects
We would love to hear from you......just put "info" in the place of "FAKE" in this address: FAKE@travellogs.us Until next time remember how good life is.
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